Social media poses heightened risks for high-net-worth individuals (HNIWs). Bad actors can gather extensive details from posts, including GPS-tracked photo locations, potentially revealing home addresses or vacation sites.

Social media platforms lack legal obligations to protect users due to certain regulations. This underscores the need for users to understand that their publicly posted content places their lives in the public domain, urging them to take responsibility for what they share.

There are measures HNWIs are advised to implement to protect their online profiles, especially when their home is empty. These steps are crucial in ensuring the safety of themselves, their home, and their loved ones.

Understanding threats stemming from social media

Many problems associated with social media stem from revealing locations, activities, and schedules through posts. Social media users who share personal details online become susceptible to exploitation by attackers aiming to leverage their information for financial gain, blackmail, impersonation, online harassment, malware distribution, or burglary.

Criminals use varying methods based on the specific social media platform they target. For instance, on Facebook, where users have the option to maintain privacy settings for images and comments, attackers may attempt to befriend the target’s friends or send direct friend requests to gain access to the user’s posts.

Platforms like Instagram and X predominantly offer content for public consumption unless the user’s account is set to private—although this is uncommon for celebrities and public figures.

Various celebrities and sports stars have experienced home break-ins while away, as criminals exploit their absence through social media.

One example is Mariah Carey, who had her $5.6 million home in Atlanta robbed while she was on vacation. The robber, presumably, checked her social media posts, which are available to her 11 million followers, to see her activity and broke into her home when she was away.

Being vigilant of digital footprint

HNWIs must be extra careful about what they share on social media. Avoid tagging locations, publicising travel plans, discussing private matters openly in public conversations, mentioning one’s children’s schools, or providing excessive details about daily routines.

Be cautious when sharing photos or videos with location tags on social media. Geotagged posts can potentially expose routine or residence details to potential intruders unless the location is a one-time visit. This can prevent unwarranted exposure by keeping location tags general and avoiding specifics when adding them to posts.

While one might want to share favourite spots like parks or cafes, it discloses their whereabouts online.

Refrain from sharing real-time updates on social media. Broadcasting immediate details like weekend getaways, spontaneous trips, or family vacations can inadvertently reveal the owners’ absence and offer potential opportunities to criminals. It’s advisable to share such events after returning home to prevent any security risks.

Don’t forget to use the privacy settings available on social media platforms to control post visibility. For non-business purposes, consider setting accounts to private, limiting post visibility to followers only. However, stay cautious of fake social media profiles.

While it’s natural to want to display accomplishments and prised possessions, sharing valuable items on social media might attract intruders to the home. Instead, prioritise sharing experiences and cherished memories rather than material items to reduce the risk of one’s home becoming a target.

Beyond practising responsible social media usage, enlisting the help of security firms like Marengo in the home security strategy can provide an extra layer of protection.

These firms can enhance a home’s security by assessing its security weaknesses, implementing ideal security strategies and tools, and deploying security guards to keep the home safe, even when the owners are on vacation. In addition, if homeowners feel like they need extra security with their high mobility, they can always opt for the close protection features these firms have to offer.